Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing: Test Series -9

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GS 3 Paper: [Internal Security] – Comment on the external security threats to India. What are the external state as well as non state actors creating challenges to India’s internal security? (200 words)

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corruption flourishes in the system where there is no transparency . the physical contact between the service providers and the receivers provides enough opportunity for negotiation . the complex and ambiguous rules and cumbersome procedures lead to discretionary powers of the officials . the monopoly of government in many services also makes room for corruption .

e governance initiative eliminates the corruption by ensuring following measures

1 no human interface thereby breaking the chain of negotiation
2 discretionary powers are curtailed by the standardized processes usually performed by computer
3 increase transparency in the system as the citizen can online trace the applications / complaints
4 increase accountability by detecting the wrong doings / non doings through computerized trails
5 empowering citizens by the right to choose services , public monitoring and feedback
6 efficient monitoring

these initiatives make the system efficient and effective leading to social harmony .

1. GS 1 Paper: [Geography] – What are the geographical and non-geographical factors affecting the location of industries? Analyse the geographical factors favoring India as a service hub. (200 words)
Ans
The basic requirements of any industry are; raw material, power, transport infrastructure, skilled manpower and markets.
-raw materials is purely geographical while manpower is purely non-geographical.
– Power can be due to geographical factors like hydroelectricity and coal/gas or nuclear energy and solar/wind based on technological availability.
– Transport if dependent on sea routes is geographical, while road/rail networks depend on both geography and technology.
– Markets depend on the financial capability, aesthetic taste and demand this depending on both factors.

Geographically, India has a time lag of approximately 5 hours from Europe and 12 hours from North America. Thus for industries in need of round the clock service (ITES), Indian position on globe is ideal.
Falling on the route between some of world’s busiest sea routes and having a long shoreline, India can provide services to shipping industry.

1. GS 2 Paper: [Development] – Discuss the steps, policies and acts related with women empowerment in India. (200 words)
Ans
In India, women have been trailing men in most of the socio-economic indicators. With crimes against women on the rise and India missing the Millennium development goal for 2005 regarding eradicating gender disparity, the urgency of the quest has been realised.
Following policies have been undertaken by the government-
Educational-
-Promoting girl’s enrolment to schools. Providing for sanitary needs of girls in schools. Providing scholarships and other benefits.
-Providing reservations in some and steps to create gender parity in other institutions.
Economic-
-Ministry of women and child welfare is implementing swayamsidha program to promote creation of self-help groups among women.
-Opening of women specific Mahila bank.
-Providing nutritional aid to pregnant and lactating women.
Legislative-
-National commission for women is working to provide help through legislative means to women’s grievances and provide constitutional safeguards.

1. GS 3 Paper: [Internal Security] – Comment on the external security threats to India. What are the external state as well as non state actors creating challenges to India’s internal security? (200 words)
Ans
India happens to be placed geographically a very politically unstable region, to add to which is the vicinity of global centres of terrorism. The external threats can be classified into following categories-
Military threats-
– Due to misunderstandings regarding line of actual control along the borders with China, incursions into Indian territory by Peoples liberation army have been on rise. Having fought a war and India’s hosting of Dalai Lama raise threat.
– Firings along the border with Pakistan have been rising and the recent incident of beheading of Indian soldiers by Pakistani army have escalated tensions.
Militant threats from Nonstate actors-
– Pakistan’s Inter services intelligence has been fuelling insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir for long but recent they have boldly attacked other areas too (like Mumbai attack). Recently the activities have been expanding with support to organisations like Indian Mujahiddin, insurgents in North-east India and allegedly even Naxals.
– Afghanistan based Taliban and Al-quaeda have been supporting the separatist demands in J&K. Recent video releases of Al Zawahiri, claiming to boost activities in South Asia only add to the woes.
– Recently the terrorist organisation have been using countries like Nepal and Bangladesh as launch-pads for attacks in India.
Other threats-
– Resurgence of IS in Iraq and Syria, which have displayed intentions to expand their ‘Khaliphate’ to India pose a risk in the long run.
– Rising polarisations in the region, like violent separatist movement in Uighur regions of China and riots in Mayanmar could spread to India.

1. GS 4 Paper: [Corruption] – E-governance and automation are the tools for ending corruption. Analyze. (200 words)
Ans
In 2012 India has ranked 94th out of 176 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, tied with countries like Colombia, Djibouti, and Senegal.
Corruption exists at multiple levels and many walks of life. E-governance can add transparency to the working of state machinery and automation can remove the middle men who exploit people. For certain fields these can help a lot in removing corruption, like-
– Government tenders and contracts.
– Allocations of National resources, housing schemes, land allocations.
– Subsidy and salary transfer directly to recipients.
– Selections to government jobs.
– Spending by government departments.
The effects of automation have been already observed as in case of ATM machines which hare removed the bribe rural people often had to pay, to withdraw their own salaries. Similarly e-governance making tenders online and open to public have removed malpractices.
However there are many fields which are beyond the capacity of these to be redressed like-
– Bribe taking by police, traffic police and other government officials working out of observation range.
– PDS siphoning off better quality supplies, to be replaced by poorer grade supplies.
– Lobbyists working to get undue favours to their clients.
– Doctors prescribing non-generic drugs despite availability of generics.
– Hospitals conducting pre-birth sex determination illegally.
To summarise, these can be good tools to remove corruption, but to ensure that more ingenious ways for carrying out corrupt practices do not spring up social awareness and grass root level changes are needed.

GS 4 Paper: [Corruption] – E-governance and automation are the tools for ending corruption. Analyze. (200 words)
Ans. E-Governance and automation are the main component of the Good Governance and act as solid tool for ending corruption from public service in following ways-
1. Less person to person direct interact less corruption
2. More information on record (by email) less corruption
3. More information in public domain (on websites) more confidence among public and greater transparency less corruption
4. Quicker Service Delivery
5. Duration of delay can be traced and accountability can be fixed.
6. Automation like e-payment, e-procurement, e-accounting brings standard output and lesser pilferage of resources.
7. Better tool to measure performance and justified performance assessment.

The 2nd ARC has also reported for greater automation and use of E-governance in public service. Although, E-governance and automation are immensely helpful in checking corruption, they cant be panacea for the same, for example despite of bringing Automation and E-governance in PSU Banks, cases of corruption have been reported same way in case of Direct Benefit Transfer Cases also. These two process also have human intervention at one or the other step. Therefore in order to bring an end to corruption it is important to ensure checks and balance at the use of discretion by officials. A culture of right ethics towards public service needs to be imbibed in addition to training them for e-gov and automation.

GS 2 Paper: [Development] – Discuss the steps, policies and acts related with women empowerment in India. (200 words)
Ans. The various steps, policies and acts related with women empowerment in India are as below-
Acts-
1. Fundamental Rights including Rights to equality and Protection against exploitation under
2. Equal Pay for equal work
3. Reservation for in Local bodies as per 73rd and 74th Amendments although some states have given them 50% reservation.
4. Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment at work-place prevention against immoral trafficking.
5. Anti Dowry law (CPC act 498A)
Steps and Policies
1. Dedicated MInistry for Women and Child development
2. Gender Budgeting both at Centre and State levels
2. Janani Suraksha Yojana
3. Mandatory Creche facilities at all governemnt offices.
3. 50% beneficiary of MNREGA to be female.
4. Reservation in Trains
5. Fee Exemption from UPSC/SSC examination
6. Nirbhaya Fund after the deadly Delhi Gang Rape Case
7. Women is to be treated head of the family in the Food Security Act schem
8. Child Care leaves to women in government service
9. Greater Tax limit.
10.Bhartiya Mahila Bank has been set up.
11. Special career plan for women in R&D and S&T sector.
12. The proposed Women Reservation Bill
12. OPening of some more sector to women for working after sunset.

Ans : women empowerment is a hot debate in social circle these days especially in a country where still women is considered as second grade citizen . india is ranked number 4 among the most dangerous countries for women .

what is women empowerment ? it is the creation of environment where women can take independent decisions on their personal development as well as shine as equals in the society .

the challenges regarding this are education , poverty and their health and safety . if these challenges are well addressed , then women empowerment will come true one day .

MDGs by UNDP especially MDG 3 well addresses this issue which states : to eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education by 2005 ( india missed this but pace has then hastened ) and in all education by 2015 .

the constitution makers were aware of this issue and had addressed it well . gender equality is referred to in preamble , fundamental duties , DPSP s and in various acts . it also empowers the state to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women .

real impetus was given under Mrs. Indira Gandhi by a scheme known as mahila yojana . various government schemes have come up since then , such as rashitrya mahila kosh , SHG at panchayat level etc

73 rd and 74 th CAA provided for 33 % reservation of seats for women . this atleast enabled women to come out of their houses and contibute in the administration of villages .

national policy and national mission for empowerment of women in 2001 and 2010 respectively went on to provide measures for the full utilization of their potential .

there is no dearth of schemes , policies , programs etc regarding women empowerment in our country yet the tangible effects are not visible . so where is the missing link ?

the implementation needs to be well targeted for effects to be seen and also the change in mindset of not only women but also men is the need of the hour . this is high time for indians to wake up to the world that is moving towards equality and equity . thus our country needs to be catapulted in this direction .

GS 2 Paper: [Development] – Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) if properly implemented can end financial untouchability and can give millions freedom from poverty. Critically analyze.
Ans
The double curse of illiteracy and poverty has marred India’s population. They are devoid of financial services by large banks on following accounts-
1) Non-feasibility due to small deposits and withdrawals.
2) Banks do not have enough penetration to cater to large rural base.
3) Illiteracy has rendered people afraid of paper works.
4) Cases of corrupt practices have removed faith of people from banks.
Non availability of financial services causes following problems-
1) Villages have to be dependent on moneylenders who charge exorbitant rates of interest.
2) They are not able to avail loans to finance growth in agriculture/industry.
3) Their savings are not utilised properly.
4) Government benefits have to be given through intermediaries who often siphon off large amounts.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna, announced on republic day 2014 is an attempt to change the situation. It aims to open 7.5 crore accounts in one year, covering one member of each family from the backward sections. The account holders will also be provided with debit cards powered on RuPay money transfer system through with monetary benefits can be directly transferred. They will also have an overdraft facility of 6 thousand rupees and life insurance of 1 lakh rupees. Coupled with Bank-sathi scheme, it has the potential of transforming condition of Indian masses.
1) Will end abuse from money lenders.
2) It will provide insurance cover, to hitherto uncovered poor who ironically needed it the most.
3) Will reduce corruption by cutting middle men.
4) Empower people financially, through transparency, ease of service and new opportunities.